The First Fast – Roza Kushai

Today was unique; it was the first time he would be fasting during Ramadan! His father had explained to him that fasting was about patience, thankfulness, and compassion as much as about hunger.

On the other hand, Daniyal sprawled in his silk sheets at the great mansion. Daniyal was also fasting for the first time. For Suhoor, his mother had loaded the table with dates, fresh fruit, and hot parathas. Driven to prove to his family he was mature enough to fast, he ate to his heart’s content.

Hamza and his dad were having their Suhoor in the little servant quarters behind Daniyal’s house. Daniyal’s family woodcutter was Hamza’s father; his mother also worked for them mostly in their kitchen.

Their suhoor consisted simply of some tea and a few bits of bread with last night’s curry. Hamza was still delighted and looking forward to iftaar time.

Hamza went with his father, that morning, to cut wood for the rich family’s fireplace as the sun rose. Though hunger tore at his gut, he reminded himself that this fast is for Allah. His father grinned rather boldly.

“Fasting helps us to develop patience, son. Remember, Allah watches everything; those who have less are may be rewarded more.”

Meanwhile, Daniyal lounged in his neat, cozy house waiting for iftaar time. The hours passed while he lay on his nice bed, whining.

“I’m starving!”

“Fasting is not only about eating.”

Daniyal’s grandma remarked with a smile. It’s about honoring people without privilege to eat whenever they so choose.

Hamza’s mother was occupied in Daniyal’s kitchen by afternoon, cooking a great iftaar feast. Hamza’s tummy rumbled as the air smelled of freshly fried samosas and delicious syrupy jalebis.

Still, he stayed cool under pressure. Hamza hauled firewood to Daniyal’s house as the sun sank. He watched Daniyal in the yard eagerly staring at a glass of water.

Daniyal murmured,

“I’m so thirsty.”

Hamza cracked a smile.

“Me also. But a little more patience will bring benefits from Allah”.

Looking at Hamza, Daniyal noted his worn face and filthy clothing. Hamza, though, did not voice complaints.

Daniyal knew then how simple his own day had been in comparison to Hamza’s.

When the Maghrib azan echoed at last, both boys grinned and said Bismillah before breaking their fasts in the beautiful garden together.

Daniyal noticed that Hamza barely had a few dates and a glass of water;

Daniyal’s iftaar was a feast. Seeing this, Daniyal started to load Hamza a plate full of fruit and samosas right away.

“This is for you,”

he said.

The eyes of Hamza gleamed with thanks.

“Thanks, Daniyal. Thank you, may Allah bless you”.

That evening Daniyal discovered the actual meaning of Ramadan, as well as hunger and patience Ramadan is also about compassion and sharing with less fortunate people. For Hamza, it also served as a reminder that thankfulness and faith make the heart more rich than any fortune could.